and what's going to happen to him. Seems to me we might keep him
a spell till we're sure his father's deserted him for good. Want
to come to Aunt Sarah, baby?"

Jack-o'-lantern turned from Rebecca and Emma Jane and regarded
the kind face gravely; then he held out both his hands and Mrs.
Cobb, stooping, gathered him like a harvest. Being lifted into
her arms, he at once tore her spectacles from her nose and
laughed aloud. Taking them from him gently, she put them on
again, and set him in the cushioned rocking chair under the lilac
bushes beside the steps. Then she took one of his soft hands in
hers and patted it, and fluttered her fingers like birds before
his eyes, and snapped them like castanets, remembering all the
arts she had lavished upon "Sarah Ellen, aged seventeen months,"
years and years ago.

Motherless baby and babyless mother,
Bring them together to love one another.

Rebecca knew nothing of this couplet, but she saw clearly enough
that her case was won.

"The boy must be hungry; when was he fed last?" asked Mrs. Cobb.
"Just stay a second longer while I get him some morning's milk;
then you run home to your dinners and I'll speak to Mr. Cobb this
afternoon. Of course, we can keep the baby for a week or two till
we see what happens. Land! He ain't goin' to be any more trouble
than a wax doll! I guess he ain't been used to much attention,
and that kind's always the easiest to take care of."